Category Archives: 1980s

McCartney films secret street gig for ‘Broad Street’ film 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Paul McCartney-Give My Regards to Broad Street-Full Movie-HQ' ('Leicester tube station' sequence begins at 1:38:45)

(Saturday, July 16, 1983, early hours of the morning) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, in disguise, was secretly filmed performing today outside London’s Leicester Square tube station, near the Talk Of The Town, in London, 10 days before completing principal photography for the movie Give My Regards To Broad Street. The film, directed by Peter Webb, was written and starred McCartney.

Fred Lynn hits first ever All-Star grand slam 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s


Video: 'Fred Lynn (1983 All Star Game Grand Slam)'

(Wednesday, July 6, 1983) — Fred Lynn of the California Angels hit the first (and, to date, only) grand slam in an All-Star game today as the American League zoomed to a 13-3 victory over the National League in Chicago’s Comiskey Park.

Shuttle carrying first American woman in space lands safely 30 years ago this hour (1983)

1980s, space exploration


Video: 'Space Shuttle Challenger - STS-7 Landing'

(Friday, June 24, 1983, 6:57 a.m. PDT) — The space shuttle Challenger — carrying America’s first woman in space, Sally K. Ride — coasted to a safe landing today at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Ringo Starr releases ‘Old Wave’ album 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Ringo Starr - "Old Wave" [Full Album]'

(Thursday, June 16, 1983) — Old Wave, the ninth (and last for nine years) studio album by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, was released today in Germany (it was not released in the U.S. or UK until 1994). A single, “In My Car”/”As Far as We Can Go”, was also pulled from the album today for release in Germany.

U2 performs at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado 30 years ago tonight (1983)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s


Video: 'Under A Blood Red Sky'

(Sunday, June 5, 1983) — Irish rock band U2 performed a concert tonight at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado with rain and the torch-lit natural beauty of the surroundings enhancing the performance. The concert was recorded and released as an EP and a video, both called Under a Blood Red Sky. Footage was also used in the “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” video.

‘James Bond: The First 21 Years’ debuts on ITV 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, James Bond, Movies 1980s, Television 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'JAMES BOND OO7: The First 21 Years - Part 1 of 5'

(Friday, May 27, 1983) — James Bond: The First 21 Years, a documentary designed to promote the upcoming release of the film Octopussy, premiered today on ITV in the UK. The program featured many celebrities, including former Beatle Paul McCartney (on part 3 at 7:30). Continue reading ‘James Bond: The First 21 Years’ debuts on ITV 30 years ago today (1983) →

Michael Jackson introduces ‘moonwalk’ dance on Motown special 30 years ago this hour (1983)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'Moonwalk - Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - The First Moonwalk King Of Pop'

(Monday, May 16, 1983, 9:00 p.m. EST) — Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever was broadcast tonight on NBC. The highlight was Michael Jackson lip syncing and dancing to his song “Billie Jean” and performing for the first time his “moonwalk” dance. In 2004, TV Guide rated it as the 27th most memorable TV moment of all time. Continue reading Michael Jackson introduces ‘moonwalk’ dance on Motown special 30 years ago this hour (1983) →

McCartney completes ‘Silly Love Songs’ scene for ‘Broad Street’ film 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Paul McCartney-Give My Regards to Broad Street-Full Movie-HQ' ('Silly Love Songs' sequence begins at 35:48)

(Saturday, May 7, 1983) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney completes filming of the “Silly Love Songs” scene today at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, England, for the movie Give My Regards To Broad Street. The film, directed by Peter Webb, was written and starred McCartney.

Harold Washington becomes first African-American mayor of Chicago 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Harold Washington campaign for Chicago mayor, 1983'

(Friday, April 29, 1983) — Democrat Harold Washington was sworn in today as the first African-American mayor of Chicago, having defeated Republican Bernard Epton 51.7% to 48.0% on April 12.

10-year-old American girl receives reply from Soviet leader Andropov about her concerns of nuclear war 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Cold War


Video: 'Samantha Smith, is interviewed on Nightline by Ted Koppel on'

(Monday, April 25, 1983; during the Cold War) — 10-year-old Samantha Smith of Manchester, Maine, received a reply today from Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov to a letter she’d written expressing concern about possible nuclear war. Andropov reassured Samantha that the Soviet Union did not want war, and he invited her to visit his country, a trip Samantha made the following July.